Sandals Royal Bahamian, on Nassau in the Bahamas. It’s smaller than many of the Sandals properties, which means it’s perfect for those wanting a romantic getaway and a boutique feel. The best part? You can get there from Miami in under 40 minutes!
We have visited all of the Sandals Resorts, most of them multiple times. For a personal stay, we prefer the resorts with the smaller footprint, good food, and a variety of things to do mixed with quiet downtime. Royal Bahamian did not disappoint. The short flights, the private island and the incredible service was icing on the cake.
Disclaimer: We are a certified Sandals specialist agency and recently visited Sandals Royal Bahamian as part of an incentive trip. However, we love vacationing at Sandals too, and all opinions are our own.
Sandals Royal Bahamian – Totally Renewed
The Sandals Royal Bahamian underwent a major, multi‑million-dollar transformation that culminated in a grand reopening on January 27, 2022. This $55 million renovation reshaped virtually every aspect of the resort – from brand-new swim-up suites and villa accommodations to culinary upgrades, refreshed public spaces, and a reimagined private island experience
What makes Sandals Royal Bahamian Special
The resort is known for its boutique-style feel with a small footprint, meaning everything is close at hand – no shuttle buses needed. It also has its own private island, a short 10-minute boat ride away.
Add in two large pools (one party, one quiet), a prime beachfront location, and the lively Coconut Grove entertainment area, and it’s easy to see why this property is popular for both couples looking to relax and those wanting live it up a bit.
Highlights
- Two large pools: One lively party pool and one quiet, both with swim-up bars
- Over-the-water wedding chapel
- 12 dining options, including two food trucks
- Coconut Grove for nightly live entertainment
- Tennis and pickleball courts
- Fitness center with some of the best views on the property
Easy access to Baha Mar’s casino, just a mile away.
The resort is split between the East Bay and West Bay buildings. East Bay is ideal if you want quick access to the quiet pool and the piano bar. West Bay is better suited to those who plan to spend time at the energetic party pool.
Room Choices at Sandals Royal Bahamian
We’ve stayed in a few different room types at this resort. On our latest visit, we stayed in the West Bay Honeymoon Oceanview One Bedroom Butler Suite.
Butler Level Suites
- East Bay Beachfront Swim‑Up Butler Suite – Ground-floor oceanfront rooms with zero-entry private infinity pool, king bed, patio loungers, and full butler service.
- West Bay One‑Bedroom Swim‑Up Butler Suite – Patio leads directly into the Crystal Lagoon; includes butler service, love seat in living area, and stocked minibar.
- Island Village One‑Bedroom Butler Villa Suite – Secluded garden villa with private plunge pool, outdoor soaking tub, and full butler amenities.
- Additional Butler options include Windsor Oceanfront Penthouse, Windsor Penthouse Oceanview, Honeymoon suites, and various Swim-up and Hideaway suites.
Club Level Rooms & Suites
- East Bay Beachfront Club Level Room – Upper-floor rooms with ocean-view balcony, king bed, and access to the Club Sandals lounge.
- West Bay Oceanview Penthouse Club Level Suite – Spacious penthouse with sweeping views, seating, private balcony, and concierge service.
- Club-level options also include Zen Garden walkouts, Honeymoon ocean-view, Premium ocean-view, Poolside walkouts, and Grande Luxe Junior Suites.
Luxury-Level Rooms
- Balmoral Oceanview Luxury / Grande Luxe / Premium – Located in Balmoral Tower, these rooms offer ocean or pool views, four-poster king beds, marble bathrooms, and bay windows or balconies.
- Royal Village Deluxe / Luxury Rooms – Garden-view, colonial-style rooms with private patio or balcony and classic furnishings.
The Beach at Royal Bahamian
The beachfront at Sandals Royal Bahamian is everything you’d expect from the Bahamas – calm, clear water and soft sand perfect for a swim or simply relaxing. It’s not expansive, but it’s well-maintained and provides easy access to the water with plenty of loungers.
The Private Island – Barefoot Cay
Accessible by boat starting at 10 a.m., this exclusive island escape offers a peaceful retreat just 10 minutes offshore. It features:
- A small pool with a swim-up bar
- Two beaches (mainland-facing and open-ocean side)
- One restaurant serving standout dishes like smash burgers, conch salad, and mahi bites
- Dozens of quiet lounging areas tucked throughout for seclusion
The mainland-facing beach has the best sand and calmest water. To score a prime seat, be at the pier by 9 a.m., as the boat carries only 40 guests per trip.
Dining at Sandals Royal Bahamian
You won’t go hungry here. With 12 dining options, including two fun and casual food trucks, variety is a strong point.
- Gordon’s on the Pier: Dinner-only with a prime sunset view. Highly recommended for the Thai chicken curry
- Tesoro: Italian by night, pizza by day
- Kanoo and Tesoro offer buffet breakfast; La Plume (French) is the option for à la carte
- Calico: Casual open-air spot for wraps, salads, and burgers
- Butch’s Island Chop House: Steakhouse
- Kimonos: Japanese-style hibachi dining
- Queen’s Pearl: British pub fare
Room service is included for Club and Butler level guests. Don’t miss lunch on the private island – it was the best meal of the trip for us!
Day Passes to Sandals Royal Bahamian
If you’re staying elsewhere in Nassau but want to experience the resort for a day, Sandals does offer limited day passes. These give access to the pools, restaurants, beach, and even the private island, making it a great way to test out the resort or enjoy a luxurious day without booking a full stay.
Sandals Royal Bahamian Review
Sandals Royal Bahamian offers the perfect mixture of relaxation and things to do. There is the energetic party side when you want it and a quiet, peaceful side when you are ready to unwind. The 37 minute flight from Miami makes it perfect for short trips from the east coast. The private island is the perfect extension of the resort offering more space and tranquility.
One more perk that makes the Bahamas a perfect quick trip – Did you know that you clear US Customs and Immigration before leaving the Bahamas so you can avoid the long lines back in the US? And yes, Global Entry works there as well making this an easy peasy getaway!
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